On Friday's NBC Nightly News, Lester Holt badgered former Florida Governor Jeb Bush on the issues of race and racism. Holt underlined how "12 percent of African-Americans, 25 percent of Latinos have a favorable view of the Republican Party," and asked, "Is it a perception problem, or is this party fundamentally out of touch – tone-deaf – to minority communities?" He later played up how Bush "never used the word 'race' or 'racism'" during a speech "in front of a predominantly black audience." [video below]
The anchor noted how the Republican presidential candidate "just spoke to the Urban League convention and a predominantly black audience." He continued with his figures from a recent NBC News poll and asked his "out of touch" question about the GOP. Bush replied, in part, that "it's a lack of interaction. I think it's a perception problem, for sure."
Holt followed up with the former governor's apparently lack of mention of "race" and "racism" from his speech. Bush countered that he had talked about the topics, but the NBC journalist interrupted him mid-answer. Holt also raised the recent mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina and how the candidate didn't connect it to race:
HOLT: You gave a very passionate speech about opportunity; about your accomplishments in hiring and diversity here. You never – in front of a predominantly black audience, you never used the word 'race' or 'racism.'
BUSH: I talked about it, though. I talked about it-
HOLT: But you didn't – you didn't-
BUSH: I talked about the vestiges. I quoted President Obama about the vestiges of the past being real and still there, and that we needed to be sensitive to that.
HOLT: You mentioned Charleston, but – but as you have in the past, you – you talked about it as an act of evil – which it certainly was. But you haven't really framed it as an act of racism. Why is that?
BUSH: It is an act of racism. It is, and I have said that. If you read the speech I gave, it was an acknowledgment that we have serious issues regarding race and division in this country, and the way to solve it is not to talk about it – to create a grievance message – it's – it's to roll up one's sleeves and solve problems.
The anchor then brought up Florida's stand your ground law, and emphasized that "there have been studies that suggest that a disproportionate number of those cases have been used to justify the shooting of African-Americans. Looking back on – on how it's laid out; how it's – how it's played out, would you sign that law today?" Bush answered that he would, and pointed out that "the point of this was an extension of the Castle Doctrine – being able to protect your home. And the point was that you that don't chase someone – that you stand your ground."
Holt ended the interview with the upcoming Republican presidential candidate debate and how would interact with Donald Trump, along with former "protege" Marco Rubio.
The full transcript of the Jeb Bush segment from Friday's NBC Nightly News:
LESTER HOLT: Now to my one-on-one with Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush. We sat down today in his home state of Florida for a candid discussion about race in America; his state's controversial Stand Your Ground law; and how exactly Donald Trump has ended up leading in the polls.
HOLT (from pre-recorded interview): You just spoke to the Urban League convention and a predominantly black audience. Let – let me read something to you from the latest NBC News poll: 12 percent of African-Americans, 25 percent of Latinos have a favorable view of the Republican Party. Is it a perception problem, or is this party fundamentally out of touch – tone-deaf – to minority communities?
JEB BUSH: I think it's a lack of interaction. I think it's a perception problem, for sure. We're seeing the hollowing out of the center in American politics. The left is angry; the right is angrier. You have – you have deep divides. And a lot of people that are not as engaged in the political system look at our – both parties and go, they're not representing me.
I think it's important, if you're going to aspire to be president of the United States, you should aspire to be president of all people. And I intend to continue to campaign – you know, in places that – where I'm not preaching to the choir necessarily.
HOLT: You gave a very passionate speech about opportunity; about your accomplishments in hiring and diversity here. You never – in front of a predominantly black audience, you never used the word 'race' or 'racism.'
BUSH: I talked about it, though. I talked about it-
HOLT: But you didn't – you didn't-
BUSH: I talked about the vestiges. I quoted President Obama about the vestiges of the past being real and still there, and that we needed to be sensitive to that.
HOLT: You mentioned Charleston, but – but as you have in the past, you – you talked about it as an act of evil – which it certainly was. But you haven't really framed it as an act of racism. Why is that?
BUSH: It is an act of racism. It is, and I have said that. If you read the speech I gave, it was an acknowledgment that we have serious issues regarding race and division in this country, and the way to solve it is not to talk about it – to create a grievance message – it's – it's to roll up one's sleeves and solve problems.
HOLT: There are those on the left who used your appearance today as an opportunity to remind people that the stand the – Stand Your Ground law was signed under your administration-
BUSH: It was.
HOLT: Signed by you. Some-
BUSH: Yeah – sponsored by a Democrat-
HOLT: There have been studies that suggest that a disproportionate number of those cases have been used to justify the shooting of African-Americans. Looking back on – on how it's laid out; how it's – how it's played out, would you sign that law today?
BUSH: I would, as long as there was discretion – prosecutorial discretion and more definition of how – how it was to be used. Look, the – the point of this was an extension of the Castle Doctrine – being able to protect your home. And the point was that you that don't chase someone – that you stand your ground.
HOLT: Let's talk about the debate coming up in a week. Donald Trump will be on the stage as the leading candidate.
BUSH: Yeah.
HOLT: Did you ever foresee a scenario in which you would be number two to Donald Trump in the first debate?
BUSH: Well, I didn't – I didn't know where I was going to be-
HOLT: You figured you'd be up-
BUSH: Oh, I don't know. This was a long haul. So my – my focus is on what the world looks like in January – coming and going into the February caucuses and primaries. I was surprised that Donald Trump has surged. I think he's capture the – the deep frustration that people feel. I mean, I get that. I get the lack of rule of law; the sanctuary cities; the open borders – all those things. He's, in a very graphic way, appealed to people's anger about those things. And I think it's – it's important to be respectful of that – make the case that we can fix these things – and over time, the Trump phenomenon will each succeed or fail based on his proposals.
HOLT: But you called it a 'phenomenon,' as if it's something that-
BUSH: Well, yeah – the fact you're asking me about it. You're not asking about Scott Walker or – or other really well-qualified candidates. It's a – it's definitely a phenomenon.
HOLT: Marco Rubio will be on the stage-
BUSH: Yeah-
HOLT: Your protege. What if he gets a zinger in? What if he hits you on something? You hit back?
BUSH: I'm a big boy. I'll be – I'll be showing up with my big boy pants on.
